CFD Investigation of Dispersion of Airborne Particulate Contaminants in a Raised Floor Data Center

Modern data center facilities administrators are finding it increasingly difficult to lower the costs incurred in mechanical cooling of their IT equipment. This is especially true for high computing applications like Artificial Intelligence, Bitcoin Mining, Deep Learning, etc. Airside Economization/free air cooling reduces the mechanical cooling costs by using outside air to cool IT equipment under favorable ambient conditions. In this process, administrators risk their equipment to the exposure of fine particulate/ gaseous contaminants that might enter the data center facility with the cooling airflow. Literature suggests that the nature of failures caused by particulate contamination is very intermittent which makes the failures tough to predict. While the recommended filters can remove PM 10-2.5 , it's the fine and ultra-fine particulates like DPM (Diesel Particulate Matter), corrosive salts of high ionic content like sulfates and nitrates with low DRH (Deliquescent Relative Humidity) values that are the cause of concern. The present investigation utilizes a 3 - D CFD modeling of particle-laden flow in a rectangular flow domain, imitating the flow through floor tiles as in a raised floor data center. Literature was reviewed to study various numerical models that have been used for simulating particle dispersion and particle deposition in ventilated rooms, air ducts and particle behavior across physical obstructions of various geometries. A Discrete Phase Modeling approach was chosen using ANSYS FLUENT to calculate trajectories of the dispersed contaminants. 6SigmaRoom was used to predict accurate boundary and flow conditions of the fluid flow leaving the floor tiles.